We're proudly a British Canoeing Centre and offer paddling awards from entry level to instructor. The Woodmill paddling pathway paddlers can work on personal proficiency, then safety and rescue, with the option to learn how to teach others.
Paddling Awards are for anyone wanting to progress and develop within paddling. We run a variety of different Paddling Awards at Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre, read on to learn more.
We know it can be intimidating taking your first step into a new hobby, but there’s nothing to worry about, paddling is brilliant fun! Take your worries away with British Canoeing expert training and tuition at Woodmill.
Just as it says on the tin, this is the entry level award in the British canoeing structure, an encouragement award aimed at someone new to paddlesport – the perfect place to start your paddling journey.
If you’re brand new to the sport and really want to learn the basics to get started, then this is the award for you. You’ll cover everything from getting in and out of the boat, what you need to wear and paddling forward.
This next step enables the paddler to develop decision making and fundamental skills. By the end of the course the paddler will be able to complete basic manoeuvres, have an understanding of fundamental paddling skills, and have been part of a rescue drill.
If you want to develop your skills from your Start Award, or feel like you need to expand your basic paddling knowledge further, this is the award you need. The award covers topics such as:
1. Encouraging independent decision making on different bodies of water (moving river, canal, estuary, harbour), covering safety and weather aspects too
2. Preparing for self-guided adventures
3. Equipment you will need for a variety of paddle trips
4. Further developing your canoe, kayak or SUP paddling and rescue skills
This final British Canoeing award helps empower and support the individual paddler. The award builds on the skills from discover, and enables paddlers to be a competent group member. By the end of this course paddlers will be able to choose appropriate tactics for a range of different sheltered water paddling scenario’s, be able to support the rescues and basic safety of their peers, and have a range of tools to aid their ability to get out paddling.
If you want to become independent on the water, go on self-guided adventures and know how to control your craft and stay safe on the water, this is the award for you.
Our discipline specific training awards focus on personal proficiency in a specific discipline. All of the Discipline specific awards are direct entry, but basic paddling proficiency is highly recommended to gain success. Woodmill can offer the following discipline specific awards:
Your SUP Sheltered Water Award will give you the ability to organise and carry out an enjoyable and safe trip on the water up to 200 metres from shore, up to force 3 in winds.
You will be confident in considering how far you can safely travel from the shore, whilst identifying safe exit points, expanding your knowledge of rescue techniques and looking at the external and environmental factors which may affect our journey.
You will also create proficient skills to anticipate and adapt to problems we may encounter to enable us to have a safe and enjoyable day out stand up paddleboarding.
Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with SUP White Water Award holders and SUP Surf Paddle Award holders.
The Canoe Award endorses your skill, judgment and decision making when journeying.
You will be confident in planning and undertaking canoe journeys on the water in winds up to and including force 3 taking place on grade 1 rivers with simple eddy lines.
Your award is a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with the Progressive Canoe Award.
Your White Water Award endorses your skill, judgment and decision making to ensure a successful day on rivers up to grade 2.
You will be confident in planning and undertaking journeys on moving water with proficient skills to be in control throughout.
Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with Progressive White Water Award holders. This award can be delivered as part of a white-water trip or assessed on our site.
The Sea Kayak Award endorses your skill, judgment and the decision making required for a successful day on the sea.
You will be confident in planning and undertaking journeys on the sea, in winds up to and including force 3 and/or tides up to 1 Knot, using sea kayaks or sit on tops, in tidal or non-tidal environments, with proficient skills to be in control throughout.
Your award should be seen as a sound basis for building the experience and knowledge associated with Coastal Sea Kayak Award holders.
Booking our British Canoeing courses couldn't be easier!
Online booking is available through the pink 'Book Now' button. Just choose a date that suits you from the options and then click and pay online - easy!
Alternatively, you can complete the call back request form, give us a call or drop us an email. Our friendly bookings team will normally be in touch within 24 hours.
02380 439185
info@woodmill.co.uk